The Monuments Men

Jean Prinet
( ? - ? )

Jean Prinet served as a French Restitution Representative to the Offenbach Archival Depot in Offenbach, Germany. He worked alongside fellow French Monuments Men Maj. Paul de la Boulaye and Maj. Philippe Gangnat to identify and inspect thousands of books and archival materials stolen from France by the Nazis. These three Monuments Men also helped the Depot secure the necessary amount of nails, lumber, freight cars, and other critical items needed to pack, crate, and ship the fragile documents back to France.

Prinet remained at the Offenbach Archival Depot until March 1946, when he and his countryman returned to France. Upon their departure, Monuments Man Col. Seymour J. Pomrenze, Director of the Depot, submitted an official Letter of Appreciation conveying his “sincere thanks and appreciation” for their “aid and services to this installation.”

The Foundation is very interested in locating someone by this name who served as a Monuments Man. If you have information, please contact abottinelli@monumentsmenfoundation.org.